Cane
/keɪn/
nounBeginnerCommonGeneral
Meanings
Questions
Definitions
3 meanings1
A stick used for support in walking, or as a weapon.
/keɪn/
nounneutralBeginner
General
A long, thin stick
He walked with a cane.
💡 Simply: A stick to help you walk.
More Examples
2
She used her cane to tap the ground rhythmically.
How It's Used
Everyday Life
"He used his cane to walk."
Support
"The elderly woman leaned heavily on her cane."
2
The stem of certain plants, especially those that are long, slender and flexible.
/keɪn/
nounneutralIntermediate
General
A plant stem
The furniture was made of cane.
💡 Simply: A plant stem, like sugarcane.
More Examples
2
They harvested the sugarcane.
How It's Used
Botany
"Sugarcane is a vital crop."
Tip:Think of sugar cane and the sweet juice it produces.
3
To beat someone with a cane, as a form of punishment (now largely obsolete).
/keɪn/
verbnegativeIntermediate
General
To beat with a cane
He was caned for his disobedience.
💡 Simply: To hit someone with a stick as punishment.
How It's Used
Punishment
"The teacher used to cane misbehaving students (historical context)."
Tip:Remember the old-fashioned punishments.
From Old French *cane, from Latin *canna "reed, cane".
Caning as a form of punishment was common in schools and other institutions in the past.
Memory tip
Think of a walking cane supporting someone.
Practice
Base: cane
caankain
Usage
60%Spoken
40%Written